The way 2020 has gone, I think everyone can stand to hear some good news. And as an added bonus we'll fold in some lessons that may come in handy.

One statistic that really puts the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic into perspective is this: the silicone market will take a bigger hit this year than it did heading into the Great Recession.

As I write this column, I'm the only person here at the Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, office of Crain Communications, which is supposed to house most of the staff members of Rubber & Plastics News and our sister publication, Tire Business.

While there seemingly is so much activity going on with regard to sustainability, it's sad to see that there has been some backsliding in the recycling of scrap tires, one of the most basic ways to achieve progress and success in sustainability.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have spurred some medical growth, but that growth hasn't been consistent.

Whenever something major happens that puts critical products in short supply diverse groups, companies and organizations forming unlikely collaborations to get done what needs to be done. That definitely occurred this year.

As a journalist of more than 35 years, I hate the term "fake news." Of course, there can be an alternate interpretation of the term.

The transportation revolution represents a big opportunity for tire manufacturers.

Forecasting market supply and demand is a difficult proposition, as evidenced by two forecasts given during the International Tire Exhibition & Conference Virtual Edition.